The Jackson Street Gallery at Mulberry in downtown Vicksburg has closed, leaving a literal empty space for the hotel to fill.

Anna Jane Stanley was the interim general manager of the Mulberry at the time of the gallery’s closing, and is now the special projects manager for Bellamore Development, the parent company that owns the Mulberry Vicksburg.

“Our intent is to continue utilizing that space for events. But as we move forward, our vision is to cultivate a community creative hub where artists can showcase their work. And we want to do that in a way that is more modernized,” Stanley said. “As we grow and evolve, we remain committed to embracing that change and bringing exciting new experiences to Vicksburg and the surrounding community. So I would say stay tuned for what’s to come because we definitely have plans already in the works for something to be put in place there.”

Owner and operator of the gallery, Paula Jackson, said she was sad to say goodbye. She still owns and operates the Jackson Street Gallery in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

“I loved the gallery and I loved being in Vicksburg. It was just a decision that I needed to make because… I had three part-time employees that worked with me in Ridgeland and two of them moved out of state,” she said. “So with only one person for me to be able to call on… it made it a lot harder for me to get to Vicksburg twice a week.

“I love Vicksburg and always felt very welcomed,” Jackson said. “And I just love what Vicksburg has done as far as all the revitalization and different fun things that they have through the arts there.”

Lenore Barkley is one of Jackson’s closest friends, and helped introduce her to the Vicksburg scene. She is also an artist who has her work in Jackson’s gallery. The two met about 20 years ago at the Ridgeland location.

“It’s just been delightful. And certainly, I was very sad to know that we were going to be closing, but I totally understood. I have seen that lady Paula make sure that the art was changed out every five to six months for the past three years,” Barkley said. “And she came over here just about once a week and then sometimes twice a week for the events. So I understood why she was having trouble juggling everything and running both galleries. And it just kind of became time to move on.”

Jackson said she still has all the works from artists who were displayed at the Vicksburg location at her Ridgeland, Mississippi location.

Barkley, who was also given the title of Vicksburg ambassador by the Mulberry, said she has had many people tell her that they are sad to see the gallery, which opened in 2022, close down.